Natalie Seymour revealed the Canterbury Hockey Club contingent vying for Great Britain Olympic places have been supporting one another after they were all omitted from the initial squad for London 2012.

Seymour (pictured) and team-mates Abi Walker, Susannah Townsend and Dilly Newton have spent almost three years training with a British development squad ahead of the Games.

However, none were named in head coach Danny Kerry’s 16-strong squad, although Seymour and Walker are the two reserves for the tournament.

The pair remain upbeat and Seymour said: "I’m fine. I’m getting ready to go back into training. All 28 of us are still going to be working hard.

"We’re all going through something tough. Everyone’s supporting each other. It is a difficult time for everyone but there are 10 people who are in an even more difficult position than me and it’s not easy for the 16 either.

"We naturally tend to spend more time with clubmates and we’re supporting each other. It’s great to have the support of Abi and we’re in a similar position which helps."

Walker tweeted her reaction, saying she was "very happy and excited."

She added: "A very strong Olympic 16 has been announced and I am proud to be one of the reserves that will be backing them up.

"Our greatest strength is in the squad of 28 and I’m sure the team will do us all proud."

Seymour, 25, from Maidstone, is trying to keep her spirits up and says she will be pushing the 16 hard in practice.

She said: "I feel proud to have done what I have done and I know I have done all I could.

"It’s important I stay fit and ready and keep pushing those first 16. I have to try and focus day-to-day – like I’ve always tried to do – and not get too far ahead of myself.

"Selection was so difficult because all 28 of us have improved so much. We all want to keep pushing the 16 because we feel this group can do something special.

"Logistically what happens with the reserves has not all been finalised yet but to be involved in any kind of way would be fantastic and I would feel lucky and honoured to get some of the experience."

Seymour has represented Britain 20 times, Walker has 18 GB caps, Newton has seven while Townsend has yet to make her British debut, although has represented England.

Britain are considered hot medal prospects for the summer after claiming bronze at the World Cup, European Championships and Commonwealth Games, silver at the Champions Trophy in Argentina earlier this year and winning the Olympic test event this month, beatingworld champions Argentina twice.

Seymour was part of those squads but has been left on the fringes by former Canterbury coach Kerry, who said: "Words cannot describe how difficult it has been to make the final decision in selecting this squad.

"We have chosen what we feel is the best combination of players for the challenges of the Olympic Games.

"I couldn’t sleep the night before I finalised the squad because there was so much going around in my head, some of the decisions were marginal."